Premiership Wrap: Top Three Hold Their Spots

Things stayed the same at the top after the top three all won their games, all in dicey fashion.

First, Arsenal saw off an (as usual), unlucky Tottenham at the Emirates. At 1-1 Tottenham saw a late penalty saved, and then let in Nicklas Bendtner for the winner, seems to be par for the course in these London derbies. It looks more and more as though Spurs will not overcome their curse against the Gunners any time soon.

On Sunday, Manchester United took on a determined Everton team. To a man United were the superior side, however, the Everton players came together as a dedicated team and were unlucky to not come away with a vital point. Every player on the pitch for the Toffees committed to winning 50-50 balls and giving 100 percent on every challenge. I have to say I was impressed with Moye's boys. But as it usually goes with the Red Devil's, Ronaldo finished off a very, very late penalty to earn all three points. Chelsea played their luck card, coming away with three points at Ewood Park. Rovers certainly looked the better side for much of the match, but couldn't find a reply to Joe Cole's screamer.

In other games: Liverpool bounced back from back to back league loses to crush Portsmouth--Pompey never looked likely to score enough goals to contend. Manchester City stayed above Liverpool by drawing away to Villa. Other than that, no real news: the bottom three mimicked the top three, and stayed put as well.

Up next: a Merry Christmas, Boxing Day and the best match of the day: Chelsea-Villa?

Premiership Wrap: Big Guns Clash

Well, here's the week's update, coming at you a little late, and from the other side of the country. This week's action saw everything go back to the way it was before with the big guns. First up, let's look at Sunday's matches. It was a day to savor for soccer fans, that's for sure.

Liverpool-Manchester United: as usual the tension was a thick in the air at Anfield, but Manchester United were the team coming out looking for a relaxed stroll in the park. They seemed content to play a counter attacking style that looked to get them no where for much of the first half. They certainly were lucky to be even after some school boy style defending, and to the chagrin of the Scousers, were ahead on the stroke of half time (Liverpool with some absentminded defending of their own). In the second half, their lie back and counter attack plan worked well, with the scorching pace of United, sealing the win, and condemning Liverpool to back to back league defeats.

Arsenal-Chelsea: well, this one didn't quite live up to the billing. Chelsea's offense was conspicuously absent, and when they did show up, Almunia was on top of his game to deny the Blues. Gallas swooped in, again at the stroke of half time, as in the first match to secure the points-- albeit with a gift from some dreadful goaltending. The second half saw Arsenal squandering a few glorious chances, and Cech doing his best to redeem himself. But that can take nothing away from Almunia, who deserves man of the match honors in turning this game from what could have easily been a dull draw to an important victory for Arsenal.

On to the Saturday’s games, the most exciting of which, saw Wigan (yes, Wigan) defeat Blackburn 5-3. This was an incredible game, with Wigan coughing up a 3-0 lead to 10 man Rovers, before piling on two more goals in a game with very little to speak of in the way of defending. Everton and Man City remained hot in the league, and Spurs found a way to win against at Pompey--they are definitely on the way out of the basement.

A last note, Carling Cup midweek: Arsenal defeated Blackburn in extra time, City finally lose at home to a resurgent Tottenham side and Chelsea see off Liverpool at the bridge.

Champions League Match day 6

There was still much to be decided going into the final match day in the Champions League group stage. Despite the obvious tension in many of the match ups, their were virtually no surprising results. Liverpool cruised past Marseille—apparently the reds have decided the Champions League is the one they want. Elsewhere, Schalke dumped Rosenborg, to claim the spot behind Chelsea, Olympiacos qualified, and will surely be one of the weaker teams in the next round, along with Fenerbahce, who sailed past CSKA to claim the second spot behind Inter.

And lastly, in Scotland, the score line certainly flattered Lyon, where unfortunate Rangers let their nerves get the better of them during the first half and handed Lyon the lead. Despite their flowing play and great spans of possession in the second half, they just did not have the quality (or perhaps the composure) to find the final ball they needed to bag a goal and eventually Lyon ran away with the match.

Premiership Wrap: Undefeateds Falter

Well, it’s been a busy last few weeks for me, so I missed a week. The week before last didn’t produce nearly as much excitement as last week. There were certainly some interesting results, with both Arsenal and Liverpool seeing their unbeaten streaks crash and burn: Arsenal losing to erratic Middlesbrough and Liverpool losing to bottom dwellers Reading. It really is beginning to look more and more like Liverpool have packed up their league ambitions and are setting their sights solely on the Champions League.

The other top clubs: Manchester United squashed helpless Derby, Chelsea eased past Sunderland and Manchester City lost at the death to Tottenham—perhaps Spurs will find their way out of the cellar before Christmas, they really are a better team than what they’ve shown so far this season.

Sunday will be an exciting day, with Manchester United traveling to Anfield to take on arch-rivals Liverpool. Perhaps the Mercysiders will be willing to put forth a winning effort in the league if it's against Manchester United. We'll have to wait and see.

It will also be interesting to see what happens in the weekend’s other big match up between Chelsea and Arsenal. After last weekend, where Arsenal were flat outplayed at the Riverside (even Wenger said so himself), we will have to wait and see if Arsenal can rediscover the stunning quality of play they’ve displayed all season. Neither team have much to worry about in their midweek Champions League games, so they should have the full assortment of stars available (with the exception of Drogba, who is injured).